Jewish Outdoor, Food, Farming & Environmental Education

Act

At the core of the JOFEE mission is the belief that the Jewish community must join hands in taking responsibility for our shared earth and its resources, for “we are not free to desist from the labor” (Ethics of the Fathers, 2:19). Doing so takes change at home, at work, on the road, and in our synagogues, community centers, and other shared spaces. From cutting down emissions to eating more sustainably, we are all called upon to take action.

What we’re engaged in as a planet is nothing less than running Genesis in reverse; we’re kind of taking those seven days and de-creating them, one species at a time, one landscape at a time.

And if the religious community is not going to stand up to defend the very first thing God did, build this beautiful planet for us, then I don’t know what it’s going to stand up for. This is the moment, and these are the people who need to be doing it.

There is a lot you can do with your organization to move further along your green journey – for more information, check out our resources and suggestions; make sure to check out the Seal of Sustainability as well.

When God created the first human beings, God led them around all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said: “Look at My works! See how beautiful they are—how excellent! For your sake I created them all. See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world; for if you do, there will be no one else to repair it.” [Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13, Translation by AJWS]

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Opinions expressed are not necessarily endorsed by every JOFEE partner organization.